Elevating Leadership with Organisational Design Skills

When it comes to leadership, possessing essential skills is crucial. At WorldsView, a key part of what we do is to impart knowledge and empower individuals and organisations. Recently, Craig Yeatman sparked a discussion on the importance of leaders having organisational design knowledge. How can you create and execute a strategy if the organisational configuration is incompatible? A strategy might be brilliant, but without understanding whether the organisation’s design supports it, success is unlikely.

In an era where change is the only constant, focusing solely on strategy is no longer enough for sustainable business success. It may now be time for executives to consider the critical contribution organisational design skills can bring to strategic planning. As the world rapidly evolves, so must organisations. This shift requires a deeper understanding of organisational philosophies, design knowledge, and reconfiguration skills. But what exactly are these, and how can we ensure they are effectively imparted to the leaders who need them most?

Organisational design is the systematic process of shaping an organisation’s structure and roles to align with its objectives and environment. While strategy defines what an organisation aims to achieve, organisational design determines how it will achieve these goals. Now more than ever, the ability to reconfigure and adapt an organisation’s structure is crucial. Unlike static strategic plans, organisational design focuses on creating flexible structures that can swiftly respond to changes in the market, technology, and customer preferences.

To navigate the complexities of modern business, leaders need a comprehensive toolkit that includes systems thinking, change management, human-centered designs, and data-driven decision making amongst other useful tools. Transferring these skills and knowledge to those who need them most is a critical challenge. Organisations need to take the initiative to invest in development programs that focus on organisational design to equip leaders with the necessary skills.

Craig Yeatman will lead this compelling discussion, as we delve deeper into this idea and more. We invite you to join us at our next interactive OD Café on June 26 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM to share insights. Whether you're an executive looking to enhance your skills, an HR professional seeking new strategies, or simply intrigued by this topic, this event is for you. Register here: https://www.worldsviewacademy.com/event/od-cafe-organisation-design-for-executives/

Written by: Mbali Masinga